To place the text in its true light, I will consider,
I. The fact asserted —
[This was, the resurrection of the Lord Jesus ; the most important of all events ; since, without it, neither the incarna- tion nor death of Christ would have been of any avail a. To this our blessed Lord continually referred, as the most con- vincing proof of his Messiahshipb For the more full
discovery of this, he abode on earth forty days after his resur- rection ; " shewing, by many infallible proofs," that he was indeed " risen, according to the Scriptures0." And to this event all his Apostles bare witness, as establishing, beyond all doubt or question, his divine mission. This was the point to be settled'for the conviction of all, whether Jews or Gentiles: and this once clearly established, all the rest followed as a matter of course, that could not be questioned by any child of man d.]
But let me direct your attention to,
II. The prophecy appealed to in confirmation of it — This, we have said, was dark : but, when duly ex- plained, it carries full conviction along with it.
To this event, beyond all doubt, the prophecy re- ferred—
[With his people God entered into covenant, to " give them the sure mercies of David." What these were, the Psalmist fully informs us. They were, in the first place, to establish on his throne his Promised Seed, the Messiah ; and then to give to all the subjects of the Messiah's kingdom the
full blessings of salvation e But Messiah was to suffer1
How, then, could this prophecy be fulfilled ? ]
By this event, the prophecy was fulfilled — [Christ, being raised from the dead, was empowered to carry on his work ; as the high-priest did, when, after offering his sacrifice, he entered into the holy of holies. Now, too, he was seated on his throne e; and all which had been engaged in covenant both to him and to his people, was put into a train of progressive and ultimate accomplishment. Thus were the mercies, which David had long since contemplated as " sure11" rendered " sure" to Christ and to all his believing people
Not only was God's word verified by this; but a
pledge was given, that it should be fulfilled in every the
;i 1 Cur. xv. 14—18. b John ii. 19. Matt.xii.38 — 40. andxx. 19.
c Acts i. 3. ll Rom. i. 4.
■ Cite, at full Length, Ps. lxxxix. 19— 3G. ( Isai.liii. 1—12.
B Vs. ii. (i. h 2 Sam. xxiii. .r>.